ALTOGETHER, over the Saturday and Sunday of June 16 and 17, 143 teams of up to eight young players converged on the Lords Meadow football pitches for the annual Crediton Youth Six-A-Side Tournament.

"Odd" teams, from Under 7, who were not competitive, played on Saturday, the "evens" on Sunday, including a number of girls' teams on both days.

The teams who travelled the furthest were from Quedgeley in Gloucestershire, in the area on a tour and staying at Yeatheridge Farm Caravan and Camping Park near Witheridge.

Others came from as far away as Wincanton, Yeovil, Taunton, Bishops Lydeard, Chaddlewood and Watchet as well as all over Devon and several teams from Exeter as well as nearer home such as Newton St Cyres, Copplestone and several Crediton teams.

There were 11 pitches in play on Saturday, 13 on Sunday and one of the organisers, Mike Edworthy, said he was delighted that, for the first time, Crediton United had allowed Crediton Youth to use their main pitch, giving two more pitches nearer all the action instead of at the far end of the sports fields at Lords Meadow.

"We thank Graham Avery for allowing us to use this pitch," said Mike. "It is such a nice ground and a much better setting than being right at the far end of our pitches."

He also thanked Sally Ann Daniel for her work with the programme.

"We hire The Rec from Queen Elizabeth's Academy for use as a car park, and we thank the Leisure Centre for allowing us to use its facilities."

He added that, probably for the first time, every team booked had turned up, despite the dodgy weather forecast. In fact, the weather mostly held off with nearly all the matches being played in the dry if not intensely windy conditions.

Volunteers worked in the refreshment tent, where about 300 burgers were among the food sold each day.

Thanks went to all the referees, helpers, refreshment tent volunteers and all those who helped in any way.

The occasion also marked the "retirement" from active service on the organising committee of Mike Langhorne (treasurer for about seven years), Mike Edworthy (secretary for about six years) and assistants Alison Edworthy and Jaqui Langhorne.

Results: Under 7's and Under 8's - no winners as these age group were non-competitive (this means that the teams play each other in their groups but no points are given for winning or drawing as per FA rules.

Under 9's - Winner - Bideford, Runner Up - Stoke Hill, Score 1-0.

Under 10's - Winner - Stoke Hill, Runner Up - Culm Sampford Tigers, Score 3 - 2.

Under 11's - Winner - Plymstock, Runner Up - Whipton, Score 3-0.

Under 12's - Winner - Stoke Galactico, Runner Up - Pinhoe Spears, Score 1-0.

Under 13's - Winner - Thorverton, Runner Up - Moors Blacks, Score 2-0. 

Under 14's - Winner - Elm United A, Runner Up - St Martins, Score 2-2 (after extra time) (4-3 on penalties) to Elm United A.

Under 15's - Winner - Phoenix, Runner Up - Wincanton, Score 1-1 (after extra time) (2-1 on penalties) to Phoenix. 

Under 16's - Winner - Bishops Lydeard, Runner Up - Tiverton Yellows, Score 1-0.

Under 13's Girls - Winner - AFC Plympton, Runner Up - West Hill, Score 1-0.

Under 15' Girls - Winner - Crediton Youth (Crediton Whites), Runners Up - Bishops Lydeard, Score 1-1 (after extra time) (2-0 on penalties) to Crediton Whites.

The Annual General Meeting to be held at Crediton Utd AFC club room will take place on Sunday July 15 at 8pm, everyone welcome.

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